Hawthorne Road and Jensen Road intersection project

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - The City of Pocatello has been awarded $250,000 from the Children Pedestrian Safety Program administered by the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council for improvements to the Hawthorne Road and Jensen Road Intersection.

This is the second round of funding from the grant this year through an initiative by Idaho Governor Brad Little. The grant does not have any financial obligation from the city. The project is expected to go out for bid in late 2023.

The project will update the intersection of Hawthorne Road and Jensen Street. It will be limited to the area between Robin Street and Jensen Street. This location is near two schools and three parks and has been the site of auto vs. pedestrian crashes. The project will include updates to irrigation, sidewalks, curb and gutter, and rectangular rapid flashing beacons.

The Child Pedestrian Safety Program is for paths and sidewalks along or adjacent to an existing roadway, connecting sidewalks and paths between two terminal points, ADA ramps, pedestrian crossing facilities, and paving an existing pathway. The main criteria for the project include the following: primarily affects children, includes hard data on safety, connects existing pedestrian systems for connectivity and is supported by a transportation/pedestrian plan.

The project is part of Bannock Transportation Planning Organization’s pedestrian plan, is near the Hawthorne/Quinn intersection, which is currently undergoing updates, and is a location the City is interested in developing with better mobility and accessibility options.